winifredcreamer

Barbary Macaques in Ifrane, a biologist might tear his/her hair

We all love monkeys because they remind us of ourselves. Who wouldn’t want to visit a group distinctive for living in the mountains of Morocco and Algeria, along with a colony in Gibraltar that makes the news now and then? (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/11/gibraltar-barbary-macaques-deported-scottish-safari-park-blair-drummond) It is easy to see the groups that live in the Ifrane National ParkContinue reading “Barbary Macaques in Ifrane, a biologist might tear his/her hair”

Fantasia, a Moroccan sport

Fantasia, or cavalry charge, is the name given to a popular Moroccan sport and neither name does justice to the event, which is a cross between a game of “chicken” and a battle from Game of Thrones. We went to Tissa, where a well known Fantasia and horse fair are held every September. We watchedContinue reading “Fantasia, a Moroccan sport”

Modern medieval in the Medina

A medina is a walled city, very exotic for a visitor, and it’s easy to forget that medieval here isn’t just an adjective. In Fez, this means that many buildings are hundreds of years old, maybe their foundations really are a thousand years old. I find that close to unimaginable. When Fez was founded, theContinue reading “Modern medieval in the Medina”

Romans in Morocco at Volubilis

There may be nowhere more beautiful than a Roman ruin on a spring day and Volubilis, one of Morocco’s best known archaeological sites, was perfect for us. Volubilis was abandoned by the Romans in AD 285, but not by the local community, who lived there for another 700 years. The site has little new constructionContinue reading “Romans in Morocco at Volubilis”

We find a photography gallery off the beaten path: Dar Balmira

While at the Cafe clock, we saw a poster for an exhibit of historic photos of Fez from the early 20th century that have been restored and reprinted. The gallery is not far from our riad and is in a restored riad, so we decided a field trip was in order. We found our wayContinue reading “We find a photography gallery off the beaten path: Dar Balmira”

A Moroccan Wine Tasting

There is a thriving wine industry in Morocco, mostly consumed domestically. It is possible to purchase wine in this Moslem country at the “Cave” or wine cellar at the Carrefour grocery store. (We also heard that the Marjane chain of grocery stores ended liquor sales and found their overall business dropped 20-25%.) We planned toContinue reading “A Moroccan Wine Tasting”

Around the ramparts

Our friends Joyce and Jean-Marie joined us at the riad and brought their car, so we took advantage to do some exploring outside the medina. The book “Fez from Bab to Bab” by Hammad Berrada, is a classic guide to the medina and it starts by suggesting a driving tour around the ancient city walls.Continue reading “Around the ramparts”

Market Sights

Here are some of the things we see in the market.

Getting used to Fez

We planned for a long time to stay a month in the Fez medina. Now we are here in a riad of our own. There are lots of surprises in the medina. No cars are allowed in most of the area, but donkeys and horses clop back and forth. The animals give you timeContinue reading “Getting used to Fez”

Museums and Sites in Rabat–mixed opportunities

Rabat is Morocco’s capital. It has strong competition from Casablanca for economic prominence and with Marrakesh for cultural prominence. I’d like to see the capital with museums that reflect the best of all periods of Moroccan history, but Rabat seems to have thrown in the towel on the museum front. I already mentioned my fruitlessContinue reading “Museums and Sites in Rabat–mixed opportunities”